Sixth Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting, London, United Kingdom

Meeting communique

The Sixth Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (6CSMM) was held in London, United Kingdom on 25 July 2012. Delegations from 43 member countries attended the meeting. The Meeting was opened by Commonwealth Secretary-General, HE Kamalesh Sharma and chaired by Hugh Robertson, MP, Minister of Sport and The Olympics, United Kingdom.

The meeting focused on the important contribution sport and physical activity can make to development efforts across the Commonwealth. Ministers discussed principles and policy options to maximise sports contribution to human and social development including capitalising on the potential of the Commonwealth Games and major sport events. The meeting also reflected on the changing landscape of sport across the Commonwealth and the need for the Commonwealth to take a proactive stance to combat threats to the integrity of sport.

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP)

Ministers reiterated their belief that sport and physical activity can make an important contribution to human and social development goals. Ministers welcomed Heads of Governments' November 2011 endorsement of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG)s recommendations to strengthen linkages between sport, development and peace.

Ministers acknowledged the importance of SDP initiatives across the Commonwealth and encouraged continued collective effort in this regard. Ministers acknowledged that governments have an important role to play in SDP and committed to strengthening policy, stakeholder coordination and support mechanisms. However, Ministers recognised that funding for SDP is limited and that national efforts to find enhanced budgetary resources are necessary.

fully involve intended beneficiaries and their communities in all aspects of planning and programming

include mechanisms to safeguard leaders and participants, in particular children and those vulnerable to gender-based violence

be designed on the basis of evidence-based models, and conducted with systematic measurement of progress and appropriate monitoring and evaluation.

Ministers resolved to strengthen the integration of sport and youth development and highlighted the important contribution sport and physical activity can make to improving health, lifestyle and well-being and contribution to social inclusion efforts for minority groups and people with a disability. Ministers recognised the links between promoting sport and physical activity and reducing the growing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Commonwealth.

Ministers also recognised the benefits accruing to education, gender, equality and promoting peace and stability from an integrated approach to SDP. Ministers agreed to explore increased collaboration with these sectors and requested the Commonwealth Secretariat to continue efforts to integrate SDP into the work of other Divisions. Ministers also highlighted the potential that partnerships with these sectors offer in broadening opportunities for young people to participate in sport and physical activity, strengthening national sports systems.

Ministers welcomed the intensification of the Commonwealth Secretariats work in the area of SDP, in particular the development of pan-Commonwealth guidelines for strengthening SDP policy mechanisms. Ministers noted that a practical framework to assist countries to undertake this task is a key component of the Guidelines. Endorsing this approach, Ministers requested the Secretariat work with member countries to initiate pilot projects to confirm the suitability of this framework for analysis, action planning, and monitoring and evaluation of SDP in the Commonwealth. The objective of these pilots is to develop national action plans to strengthen SDP.

Ministers highlighted the importance of inter-governmental collaboration to strengthen capacity in SDP. Ministers requested that the Commonwealth Secretariat facilitate such collaboration and committed to participate in pan-Commonwealth and regional initiatives. Ministers recognised the value that Commonwealth Connects, the Commonwealths online collaboration portal, will add to this process.

Ministers commended the Governments of India and the United Kingdom for providing resources to assist the Commonwealth Secretariat advance work in the area of SDP. Ministers encouraged the hosts of future Commonwealth Games to continue to afford this support to the Commonwealth Secretariat. Further, Ministers noted the Secretariats resource constraints in relation to SDP work and encouraged additional Governments to support this mandate.

Combating Threats to the Integrity of Sport

Ministers expressed their concern about a range of issues threatening the integrity of sport, namely governance and transparency issues; match-fixing and illegal sports betting; and issues related to safeguarding sport participants. Ministers warned these issues have the potential to compromise sports contribution to development goals.

Ministers emphasised that transparent and productive relationships between both national and international sporting bodies and governments must be central in addressing these issues, and that effective democratic governance and mutual transparency promotes such relationships. Ministers called for all stakeholders to recognise the need for a balance between autonomy and accountability.

Ministers acknowledged the growing threat of match-fixing and illegal sports betting was a cross-border issue and called for stronger mechanisms to support domestic action and international collaboration. Ministers highlighted that action and collaboration must extend beyond the sporting movement and include legislative bodies, law enforcement agencies and betting providers.

Ministers supported recommendations for the sport movement and governments to work together on guiding Commonwealth principles on sport governance and related issues of integrity. Ministers endorsed work currently being undertaken by appropriately mandated international organisations, affirmed their commitment to take action alongside these agencies and encouraged the inclusion of SDP stakeholders in these processes.

Specifically Ministers requested that, following a process of stocktaking and collating of sports governance principles from various sources, the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport should lead the development of a framework encapsulating Commonwealth consensus on these issues in conjunction with the Commonwealth Secretariat and proactive participation and resourcing by member governments.

Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS)

Ministers commended the work done by the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS) in strengthening the Commonwealth Secretariats initiatives in SDP and providing guidance and advice on broader issues affecting sport in the Commonwealth. Ministers recommended SDP remain the primary focus for CABOS.

On restructuring CABOS for the period 2013-2016, Ministers endorsed the inclusion of development professionals in the groups membership and encouraged the Secretary General to co-opt additional expertise on a needs basis. Ministers also recommended that member countries continue supporting the expenses of their CABOS members.

Maximising the Development Potential of the Commonwealth Games and Major Events

Ministers welcomed an update on the activities of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Ministers commended the CGF's advancement of the youth development agenda through the Commonwealth Youth Games, acknowledged the CGFs strategic review and welcomed their consideration of recommendations to enhance the use and presentation of the Games as an instrument for peace and development. Ministers also received a valuable update on preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Encouraged by the approach of International Inspiration, the legacy programme of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ministers recommended that the sports movement include the requirement for international sporting and social legacy activity as an element of major sport event hosting.

Ministers considered opportunities for cooperation between government and the private sector to maximise the links between sport and business.

Ministers thanked the governments of India and the Isle of Man respectively for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2011 Youth Commonwealth Games.

Ministers wished the Government of the United Kingdom success in hosting 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ministers agreed to meet again in the margins of the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.